‘Toddlers & Tiaras’ Accused Of Child Exploitation

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TLC’s Toddlers & Tiaras, a behind the scenes show about child beauty pageants, is under fire again. What’s the latest controversy? Footage of 3 and 4-year-old girls dressed in suggestive adult costumes including one resembling Dolly Parton (complete with padded bra) and Julia Roberts’ prostitute outfit from Pretty Woman.

“Little girls are supposed to play with dolls, not be dolls,” clinical social worker Mark Sichel told People magazine in its new issue.

Sichel also warned that the way children are prepared for these pageants, wearing padding, fake hair, fake teeth, and getting spray tanned, “causes the children tremendous confusion, wondering why they are not okay without those things.”

The parent of the toddler dressed as Julia Roberts, Wendy Dickey, defended the outfit daughter Paisley, 3, wore, telling People the look was “tasteful and funny.” Surprised by the negative feedback, Dickey said,  “If I knew there would be a reaction like this, I never would have used it. Next time, she’ll be dressed as an angel.”

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